Photos: Daniel Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dmitry A. Mottl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ank kumar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo credits
Photos: Daniel Kraft, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dmitry A. Mottl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ank kumar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
A short call on how Swiss democracy runs day to day
Your local guide
Matthias Wyss
View profile
Highlights
- How a citizen initiative gathers signatures
- Referendums explained with real examples
- The difference between cantonal and national votes
- Bern's recent votes as case studies
- Direct democracy in plain terms
About this tour
This call explains Switzerland's system of direct democracy in plain terms, using Bern's own recent cantonal votes as examples. Matthias talks through how a citizen initiative gathers enough signatures to force a national vote and how that differs from an ordinary referendum. It stays focused on mechanics rather than any particular political position.
The call opens with a quick check of the connection, then moves straight into the explanation, since there is little to show on camera beyond a shared screen of results. Matthias leaves plenty of room for questions and sends a short list of terms afterward.
This suits anyone planning to follow Swiss politics or news during a visit and wanting the basics explained clearly. It also works well before the longer parliament session.
Included
- A 30-minute call with a local guide
- Honest tips on where to eat, stay and what to skip
- A short follow-up note with every place mentioned
Not included
- Bookings made on your behalf
- Phone or data charges from your provider
Itinerary
-
Hello, and what you want to know 5 min
The guide calls you and asks what you are after: planning Bern, recommendations, or just questions.
-
Direct Democracy Basics 17 min
Matthias talks through how referendums and citizen initiatives work in Switzerland, using recent examples from Bern's own cantonal votes.
-
Your questions 5 min
Ask anything that is still on your mind, there is no fixed script.
-
A written note after the call 3 min
You get a short follow-up message with everything mentioned, so you do not have to remember it all.
Good to know
- A stable phone or internet connection, whichever the guide uses to reach you.
- No app to install. You answer when the guide calls, or join a video call if you would rather.
- Times are shown in Zurich time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The call is not recorded. Keep your own note of anything you want to remember, or wait for the follow-up message.
- Have your questions ready, though there is time to think of more as you go.
Questions about this tour
What will the call cover?
The guide talks you through Bern: where to go, what to eat, and answers to whatever you ask.
What happens if the call drops?
The guide will try you again straight away.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- Your guide calls the number you give at booking.
- This runs as a call on Google Meet, no walking involved. I share my screen for the examples and keep my camera on so it still feels like a conversation.
Times shown in Zurich time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Reviews appear here after travellers have completed this tour.
How reviews work
Only travellers who booked and paid through Locals Guide and whose tour took place can leave a review, within 60 days of the tour. Every review is marked "Verified booking". We check reviews before they appear and publish positive and negative ones alike; we remove only reviews that break our rules (insults, personal data, unrelated content). Guides cannot pay for, edit or hide reviews, and ratings are the plain average of all published reviews.
Next: Thu 12 Nov · 3 seats left From 20,00 €
Book